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Kent Kent is offline
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Default omega-3 fatty acids in salmon


"googler" > wrote in message
...
>I started eating salmon as it is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty
> acids. I usually bake it in the oven at a temperature of about 425
> degrees for about 20 minutes (as suggested on the packet in which it
> comes). I am wondering if this is the right thing to do. This is what
> I read from a website about the effect of heat on omega-3 fatty acids.
>
> "Polyunsaturated oils, including the omega 3 fats, are extremely
> susceptible to damage from heat, light, and oxygen. When exposed to
> these elements for too long, the fatty acids in the oil become
> oxidized, a scientific term that simply means that the oil becomes
> rancid.
>
> Rancidity not only alters the flavor and smell of the oil, but it also
> diminishes the nutritional value. More importantly, the oxidation of
> fatty acids produces free radicals, which are believed to play a role
> in the development of cancer and other degenerative diseases."
>
> So if I prepare salmon in the way I described, will it still retain
> its nutritional value? If not, what is an easy way of preparing it
> without losing nutritional value? Thanks.
>
>

I make Gravlax. It should preserve all the polyunsaturated oils. I've never
made it with farm raised salmon. There is, however, probably more flavor in
the cured uncooked salmon than there is after you've cooked it. The farm
raised salmon from Norway is not too bad. Make certain you use fresh dill.

16 ounces center cut salmon fillets (approximately 1 pound each, with skin
left on)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup Kosher salt
7 1/2 coarsely crushed white peppercorns
1/2 bunch dill

Remove any small bones from the fillets with a pair of tweezers or
needle-nosed pliers.
Mix the sugar, salt and pepper in a bowl. Cover the bottom of a baking dish
with 1/3 the dill and rub sugar-salt mixture into the first fillet, on both
sides, and lay it skin side down on top of the dill.
Cover with 1/3 of dill. Prepare the other salmon fillet in the same way, and
cover with the remaining fillet, skin side up, with the remaining dill on
top. Cover in plastic wrap, place a cutting board with some heavy weights on
top and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Remove from plastic wrap and discard accumulated juices.
Rewrap and refrigerate another 24- 48 hours. This is optional. 24 hours is
fine. It will last several days.
Scrape off the marinade and slice paper thin.
Cheers,

Kent